Last Updated on July 31, 2016 12:26 pm by Brad Burns
Martinez, Cards aim for rebound vs. Fish
After two straight losses to the Cardinals, Miami officially erupted in yesterday’s 11-0 triumph. Yet the blowout victory possibly came at a significant price.
Newly acquired starter Colin Rea exited following 3 1/3 innings due to an elbow injury, putting the pitching corps in a perilous spot entering this afternoon’s finale. Online sports book Bovada.lv gives the Redbirds odds of -115 to claim the series. Don Mattingly’s gang, on the other hand, represents a -105 underdog. The over/under run figure rests at eight.
In the run-up to the non-waiver trade deadline, the Marlins fortified their rotation by snagging Rea and Andrew Cashner from San Diego. The latter makes his South Florida debut at 1:10 p.m. ET. Over the course of five seasons with the Padres, Cashner went 28-43 with a 1.27 WHIP. His top-shelf heater, however, beguiled president of baseball operations Michael Hill. Whether it holds up against a St. Louis order that hits .263 off righties remains to be seen.
Mike Matheny counters with Carlos Martinez, who has emerged as the Cards’ ace in waiting. If not for some sketchy run support, the 24-year-old- would’ve cracked the National League All-Star roster again. In two previous appearances vs. the Fish, Martinez totes a 1-1 record with a 5.25 ERA.
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Despite St. Louis’ multitude of injuries to key personnel, the organization is tied for the senior circuit’s second wild-card spot. Will we see Matheny’s crew snare the outright edge in that department shortly? Perhaps, but count on a lower-scoring affair as these combatants conclude the festivities in South Beach.
SUNDAY MLB FREE PICK: CARDINALS/MARLINS UNDER 8 RUNS